FIRST REGULAR SESSION

House Concurrent Resolution No. 10

94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

1267L.01I

            Whereas, today 40 million credit cardholders are exposed to the risk of fraud by data thieves; and

            Whereas, in 2005, a credit card processing company, CardSystems Solutions, improperly retained masses of data in vulnerable files and data thieves moved in, resulting in approximately 200,000 credit card accounts being reported stolen; and

            Whereas, other incidents in 2005 included CitiFinancial disclosing that unencrypted computer tapes for 3.9 million customers were lost by a package deliverer and ChoicePoint, the nation's largest broker of personal information were the target of thieves who were easily able to buy the data of 145,000 consumers; and

            Whereas, in the hands of thieves, consumer data becomes liquid assets and must be guarded as such by companies; and

            Whereas, with California's passage of a law requiring notice to affected consumers, the entire nation became aware that consumers' assets and identities are increasingly at risk of fraud because of the remarkable success of data thieves

            Whereas, several pieces of legislation have been introduced in the United States Congress, including a bill proposing a national requirement for consumer notification with civil penalties for negligent companies, and a comprehensive bill to begin regulating data merchants by requiring registration with the Federal Trade Commission and to impose stronger safeguards, stop the easy access to Social Security numbers, and help identity theft victims regain their fiscal balance:

            Now, therefore, be it resolved that the members of the House of Representatives of the Ninety-fourth General Assembly, First Regular Session, the Senate concurring therein, hereby urge the United States Congress to adopt a comprehensive federal law that protects consumer information from data thieves; and

            Be it further resolved that the Chief Clerk of the Missouri House of Representatives be instructed to prepare a properly inscribed copy of this resolution for each member of the Missouri Congressional Delegation.